Faith Filled Family 2015 Issue 2 | Page 24

from your singleness into a covenant marriage with another human being. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (II Cor. 5:17). And you must move from a selfish to a selfless and servant attitude. Your pursuit must be in finding ways to live in harmony and peace with your spouse. Your passion have to be about sharing your life together. This takes discipline, perseverance, commitment and compassion. If the sparkle in your marriage goes out, take time out and look into your inner most being to see how you can restore the joy and bring back the romance into your marriage. Instead of affixing blame, examine your heart. Created in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast Spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by your gracious spirit. (Psalms 51:10; 12). Remember your priorities and the sacred pledge you made to your spouse. Take the intiative to show your spouse that you love him/her and how important it is that you two reconnect. Here are some suggestions on how to expess this. II Call and Say, “I’m coming home early this evening and would enjoy sitting down talking to you about what we can do together to rearrange my job schedule that we can spend more quality time as a couple.” III Approach her and say, “I’ve noticed that you are scheduled to volunteer at the Commmunity Center this Saturday for a few hours. I would enjoy going with you and afterwards we can go out for lunch at your favorite restaurant.” of your siblings, your friends or the neighboros. God is the mastermind of marriage. And He has a divine plan for your marriage. For I know the plans I how for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and to give you hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11). God desires your marriage to flurish as an example for the world to follow. And your marriage should always represent your faithfulness to God that’s based upon your covenant realitionship with the Lord. Here are some essential characteristic both husband and wife should practice. lV Take hold of your spouse and say, “I love you. My life is empty without you, baby.” · Cherish the covenant partnership by loving and V Praise her and say, “It’s respecting your spouse amazing how you take care of · Touching and agreeing in the kids. What can I do to help?” prayer everyday · Build up with words of Vl Look into your spouse’s eyes Affirmation Refuse to tear down and say, “ I’ve been thoughtless with affixing blame or speaking and insensitive and taken you negative and harsh words to and our marriage for granted. I your spouse just want to hold you close and · Encourage ~ Don’t cricitize reassure that you are important · Affirm with loving statements: I to me.” love you ~You’re vaulable to me ~ I want you VII Other ideas: Going jogging, · Focus on their strength rather walking or running together in than their weakness the park and afterwards have a picnic expressing your love to No marriage comes with a lifetime each other ~ Arrange a romantic warranty of absoulte perfection. weekend together ~Surprise Throughout your marriage the l Write a love note stating, “I your spouse with a romantic husband and wife must pursue apologize that I’ve been too candle light dinner ~ Have a God relentlessly and commit busy to spend time time with you monthly datenight ~ Leave love to trust in His divine direction and express how much I love notes in specific places that you completely. The image of your you and how vaulable you are in know they are likely to find them. marriage is to reflect the selfless our marriage. Please forgive me. love of God through the means I’m bringing home your favorite For your marriage to survive you love and respect each other. meal and made arrangements through difficult times, you must By applying the principles of for us to have an intimate dinner be willing to invest time to get God to strengthen the foundatin tonite.” (Make sure to arrange the love back. Each marriage is of your marriage whereby, you for a a babysitter to keep the different and you should never commit to live together and bring childern) compare your marriage to that glory and honor to God.